Fire Explorer Expirience, State Fire Marshall Explorer Academy

I live in the LA Area and have spent much of my time testing and going through various steps in the process with different FDs. I have two questions: I realize where fire explorers fall on the totem pole (I was one from almost 3 years) I would never claim to have served as a full Firefighter, but when going through the process does Fire Exploring count as volunteer firefighting? I have state Fire Marshal Certificates from my explorer days because I attended a state explorer academy, I got chewed out for not listing it on a background once, should I list it as an academy from now on?
Any help, especially from someone in my area, would be appreciated.